Royal Pita Maha Resort

From the moment I started planning our trip to Bali, I have been gazing at pictures of the Royal Pita Maha Resort. Designed by Ubud’s royal family, this really is an unforgettable place. This is the kind of resort that succeeds in combining absolute luxury with an incredibly Balinese touch. Designed to celebrate the traditional culture of Bali, The Royal Pita Maha features a collection of private pool villas overlooking the breathtaking Ayung River. Expect uninterrupted views of lush tropical greenery and overwhelming aesthetic details!

The hotel

As the hotel is built on the steep hillside of the Ayung river valley, there are several elevators that take you all the way down. The landscape is beautiful – every corner or turn leads you to new pathways and discoveries. You can easily spend days here without feeling the need to leave the hotel area! Go down and walk along the meandering manmade lagoon, or take a swim in it. There is even a Holy Spring Water pool, decorated with flowers and mostly deserted as most of the other tourists opt for the swimming pool closer to the reception. This must be one of the most beautiful and most spiritual places I have ever swum in!

Furthermore, you can also go for a walk in the valley and explore the tropical gardens, the rice fields, the orchards, etc. Plenty of things to discover before you head back to your villa for some rest.

The rooms

Royal Pita Maha Resort consists of different kinds of private villas. Each villa is luxuriously appointed, with air-conditioning, satellite TV, private bar and other modern conveniences. And yes, I am about to open the wooden gates to our Deluxe Pool Villa!

This 300 sqm villa is encompassed within the secured confines of a private Balinese compound (including our own personalized mailbox). From every angle, you have breathtaking views of the tropical greenery that lines the banks of the Ayung River. A separate living environment is bathed in sunlight, as is the bedroom that comes complete with its own spa-styled Balinese bathroom. As if this isn’t enough yet, a small stairway leads me to a private natural stone swimming pool and sun terrace, offering stunning views of the valley.

The restaurants

The resort offers three on-site restaurants and lounges:

Ayung Organic Restaurant: This charming riverside restaurant serves a delicious menu of health-conscious cuisine inspired by local ingredients and seasonal produce grown on the island. Designed as a traditional Balinese pavilion that is open to the elements, Ayung Organic Restaurant is the perfect spot to enjoy light refreshments. The soft breeze that drifts over the Ayung River has a pleasant cooling effect.

Ayung Valley Restaurant: This restaurant has been masterfully crafted to follow the contours of the surrounding landscape. It is open for all day dining bringing an international yet innovative menu to rural Ubud. Breakfast is also served here from 7:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

Dewata Lounge: This lounge is elevated to capture sweeping views over the Ayung River, which carves a meandering pathway through the landscape. This elegant setting is a delightful spot to take pleasure in afternoon tea and evening cocktails. As a place to sit back and truly relax, Dewata Lounge honors the timeless beauty of Ubud.

What to do

Royal Kirana Spa & Wellness is set adjacent to the Royal Pita Maha resort: the spa and its variety of treatment villas were built following the contours on the eastern side of the Ayung River valley, with some villas featuring treatment tables and private plunge pools that take advantage of the open views. Walking through the spa area I felt like Alice in Wonderland, discovering lush tropical gardens, polished cobblestone pathways, soothing water features and sculptures – including a wall motif that resembles Bali’s ancient Gunung Kawi Temple.

Sacred Monkey Forest is an obligatory stop when visiting Ubud! This sanctuary is inhabited by a band of over 600 grey-haired and greedy long-tailed Balinese macaques who are king in this forest.

Pura Taman Saraswati: a beautiful water temple in central Ubud. The temple is an ideal stop while strolling through Ubud town.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace: although Ubud area is full of gorgeous rice paddies, Tegallalang is an obvious choice!

Ask for scooter rental services at the reception desk. They will make sure the scooter is awaiting you in front of the hotel. This will spare you the hassle of dropping off your scooter in the city center.

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Hey you! In a nutshell: I studied in Spain, lived in Brazil, and I'm currently working in Antwerp. I usually tell people that the only thing a lady needs is travel, good food & wine. The truth is that I need one more thing on top of that: sharing it with you! That's why I decided to write down my experiences on this blog, together with my partner in life & love, Jens. I'd love to hear about your experiences as well, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!